AUSTRALIANS IN THE MAJORS
Week in Review
Grant Balfour (Glenwood, NSW): Balfour re-signed with the Tampa Bay Rays on 1 May, and aims to return to the Majors via his current assignment with the Triple A Durham Bulls. He’s made four appearances for the Bulls so far, and has a 4.50 ERA and with eight strikeouts in four innings pitch. Balfour’s complete stats with Durham can be found here.
Liam Hendriks (Carine, WA): After some doubt at the beginning of the season, the pieces are coming together for the Toronto Blue Jays’ bullpen, and Hendriks continues to settle in to his middle relief role. He as a 3.14 ERA in 14.1 innings across 11 games and has held opposing batters to a .184 batting average. The Blue Jays (17-18, .486) now have sole possession of third place in the AL East, half a game ahead of the Boston Red Sox and two games behind the Rays.
9 May – The Blue Jays busted out for seven runs against the Red Sox, winning 7-1 as Lima pitched three innings of scoreless middle relief, striking out three batters.
13 May – Though Toronto fell to the Baltimore Orioles 6-1, Liam contributed 1.1 shutout innings, including working out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the sixth frame after walking the first batter.
*Statistics for players are being compiled. Pitchers can be found here and batters here.
AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE ALUMNI IN MLB
Didi Gregorius (Canberra Cavalry 2010/11): Gregorius’s speed and defence have taken centre stage as he also shows some improvement at the plate. The 25-year-old had two hits and drove in a pair of runs as the New York Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles 6-2 on 10 May. The Yankees (21-14, .609) are still in first place in the AL East, two games ahead of the second-place Rays. Watch: Gregorius shows his Yankee pride in four languages.
Kevin Kiermaier (Canberra Cavalry 2011/12): Kiermaier’s bat cooled down in the last week, with his batting average dropping to .240. He has just two hits in his last 14 at bats, as the Rays (19-16, .543) hold steady in second place in the AL East. Despite his struggles at the plate, Kiermaier remains a force on defence, showing off his cannon-like arm in the Rays’ recent series against the Yankees.
Brandon Maurer (Adelaide Bite 2010/11): In his new relief role in a new organisation, Maurer has been lights-out entering the middle of the season’s second month. He hasn’t allowed a run in the month of May, and has a 1-0 record and 2.70 ERA in 15 bullpen appearances. The Padres (18-17, .514) remain in sole possession of second place in the NL West, five games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers and half a game ahead of the third-place San Francisco Giants.
UPCOMING TV SCHEDULE – MLB ON 
All times AEST
|
Sat 16 May |
9:00 am |
ESPN’s Friday Night Baseball |
ESPN |
|
Sat 16 May |
9:00 am |
Baltimore Orioles vs Los Angeles Angels |
|
|
Sat 16 May |
3:30 pm |
Baseball Tonight |
ESPN 2 |
|
Sun 17 May |
2:00 pm |
Baseball Tonight |
ESPN 2 |
|
Mon 18 May |
9:00 am |
Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown |
ESPN 2 |
|
Mon 18 May |
10:00 am |
ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball |
ESPN 2 |
|
Mon 18 May |
10:00 am |
St Louis Cardinals vs Detroit Tigers |
|
|
Tue 19 May |
9:00 am |
ESPN’s Monday Night Baseball |
ESPN |
|
Tue 19 May |
12:00 pm |
Baseball Tonight |
ESPN |
|
Wed 20 May |
9:00 am |
ESPN’s Tuesday Night Baseball |
ESPN 2 |
|
Wed 20 May |
12:00 pm |
Baseball Tonight |
ESPN 2 |
|
Wed 20 May |
2:00 pm |
Baseball Tonight |
ESPN 2 |
|
Thu 21 May |
9:00 am |
ESPN’s Wednesday Night Baseball |
ESPN 2 |
|
Thu 21 May |
12:00 pm |
Baseball Tonight |
ESPN 2 |
|
Thu 21 May |
2:00 pm |
Baseball Tonight |
ESPN 2 |
|
Fri 22 May |
2:00 pm |
Baseball Tonight |
ESPN 2 |
MINOR LEAGUE ROUNDUP
• TRIPLE A: Victorian and former Melbourne Ace James Beresford recently concluded a 13-game hitting streak for the Rochester Red Wings. He’s hitting .319 in 25 games this season… After starting May with a multi-hit game, Matt Kennelly (Perth Heat) is hitless in his last nine at bats for the Gwinnett Braves.
• DOUBLE A: Warwick Saupold (Perth Heat) picked up his first win of the season for the Erie Seawolves, beating the Akron RubberDucks on 12 May. He has a 1-1 record and 6.00 ERA in six starts… Tim Atherton (Canberra Cavalry) gave up one earned run and struck out six batters in five innings in his second Double-A start.
• HIGH A: Daniel McGrath (Melbourne Aces) maintains a sub-two ERA for the Salem Red Sox, posting a 1-1 record and 1.80 ERA in six starts while holding opponents to a .119 batting average… Todd Van Steensel (Sydney Blue Sox) has a 1.80 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 20 innings pitched for the Fort Myers Miracle… Samuel Holland (Brisbane Bandits) hasn’t allowed an earned run in his last seven appearances for the Lake Elsinore Storm.
• LOW A: Victorian Sam Street struggled in his last two outings but maintains a 2.49 ERA and three saves in eight games for the West Virginia Power… Zac Shepherd (Sydney Blue Sox) is hitting .243 with one home run and 20 RBIs in 32 games for the West Michigan Whitecaps… Robbie Perkins (Canberra Cavalry) is hitting .212 in 33 at bats for the Asheville Tourists.
• EXTENDED SPRING TRAINING: After signing a minor league deal with the Miami Marlins, Travis Blackley (Melbourne Aces) remains in Extended Spring Training, awaiting a minor league assignment… Opening Day for both the Short-Season A and Rookie levels is approaching, in June.
COLLEGIATE NEWS: CHAMPIONSHIPS CONTINUE
• New Zealander and outfielder Daniel Bradley had two hits as North Iowa Community College blanked Southwestern Community College to take the National Junior College Athletic Association Region XI title. Bradley shined throughout the tournament, including a two-homer performance in the semifinal. The Trojans advance to the North Plains district title game on 16 May against Southeast Community College.
• Sydneysider Max Brennen and West Texas A&M University continue their trek through the playoffs, heading to Grand Junction, Colorado for the NCAA Division II South Central Regional as the No. 5 seed in the tournament. Read more about the Buffs and the tournament schedule here.
GRASSROOTS NEWS
• Baseball Australia is getting ready to release team and roster information about the Little League National Championships, scheduled to be held in Lismore NSW from 4-9 June.
AT A GLANCE
• Queenslander and former softballer Aaron Whitefield, a 2014 participant in the MLB Australian Academy Program, signed with the Minnesota Twins as an outfielder and will start his career with the team’s Rookie-level affiliate in the Gulf Coast League.
• The Australian Baseball League announced the round-by-round draw for its 2015/16 season, which commences in October. Read more about the expanded schedule here.
• The Pittsburgh Pirates temporarily shut down John Holdzkom as the righty deals with shoulder fatigue at Triple A Indianapolis.
• In Memoriam: MLBI sends our deepest condolences to the family of Murdoch Campbell, who passed away after a brief battle with cancer. Murdoch served as the marketing manager for the Brisbane Bandits in the ABL’s mid-nineties heyday, and was also known for his passion for footy as he served as the club president for the QAFL Queensland’s Mayne Tigers.
To subscribe to receive The Pitch direct to your inbox, click here.
AUSTRALIANS IN THE MAJORS
Week in Review
Grant Balfour (Glenwood, NSW): Balfour re-signed with the Tampa Bay Rays on 1 May, and aims to return to the Majors via his current assignment with the Triple A Durham Bulls. He’s made four appearances for the Bulls so far, and has a 4.50 ERA and with eight strikeouts in four innings pitch. Balfour’s complete stats with Durham can be found here.
Liam Hendriks (Carine, WA): After some doubt at the beginning of the season, the pieces are coming together for the Toronto Blue Jays’ bullpen, and Hendriks continues to settle in to his middle relief role. He as a 3.14 ERA in 14.1 innings across 11 games and has held opposing batters to a .184 batting average. The Blue Jays (17-18, .486) now have sole possession of third place in the AL East, half a game ahead of the Boston Red Sox and two games behind the Rays.
9 May – The Blue Jays busted out for seven runs against the Red Sox, winning 7-1 as Lima pitched three innings of scoreless middle relief, striking out three batters.
13 May – Though Toronto fell to the Baltimore Orioles 6-1, Liam contributed 1.1 shutout innings, including working out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the sixth frame after walking the first batter.
*Statistics for players are being compiled. Pitchers can be found here and batters here.
AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE ALUMNI IN MLB
Didi Gregorius (Canberra Cavalry 2010/11): Gregorius’s speed and defence have taken centre stage as he also shows some improvement at the plate. The 25-year-old had two hits and drove in a pair of runs as the New York Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles 6-2 on 10 May. The Yankees (21-14, .609) are still in first place in the AL East, two games ahead of the second-place Rays. Watch: Gregorius shows his Yankee pride in four languages.
Kevin Kiermaier (Canberra Cavalry 2011/12): Kiermaier’s bat cooled down in the last week, with his batting average dropping to .240. He has just two hits in his last 14 at bats, as the Rays (19-16, .543) hold steady in second place in the AL East. Despite his struggles at the plate, Kiermaier remains a force on defence, showing off his cannon-like arm in the Rays’ recent series against the Yankees.
Brandon Maurer (Adelaide Bite 2010/11): In his new relief role in a new organisation, Maurer has been lights-out entering the middle of the season’s second month. He hasn’t allowed a run in the month of May, and has a 1-0 record and 2.70 ERA in 15 bullpen appearances. The Padres (18-17, .514) remain in sole possession of second place in the NL West, five games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers and half a game ahead of the third-place San Francisco Giants.
UPCOMING TV SCHEDULE – MLB ON
All times AEST
Sat 16 May
9:00 am
ESPN’s Friday Night Baseball
ESPN
Sat 16 May
9:00 am
Baltimore Orioles vs Los Angeles Angels
Sat 16 May
3:30 pm
Baseball Tonight
ESPN 2
Sun 17 May
2:00 pm
Baseball Tonight
ESPN 2
Mon 18 May
9:00 am
Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown
ESPN 2
Mon 18 May
10:00 am
ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball
ESPN 2
Mon 18 May
10:00 am
St Louis Cardinals vs Detroit Tigers
Tue 19 May
9:00 am
ESPN’s Monday Night Baseball
ESPN
Tue 19 May
12:00 pm
Baseball Tonight
ESPN
Wed 20 May
9:00 am
ESPN’s Tuesday Night Baseball
ESPN 2
Wed 20 May
12:00 pm
Baseball Tonight
ESPN 2
Wed 20 May
2:00 pm
Baseball Tonight
ESPN 2
Thu 21 May
9:00 am
ESPN’s Wednesday Night Baseball
ESPN 2
Thu 21 May
12:00 pm
Baseball Tonight
ESPN 2
Thu 21 May
2:00 pm
Baseball Tonight
ESPN 2
Fri 22 May
2:00 pm
Baseball Tonight
ESPN 2
MINOR LEAGUE ROUNDUP
• TRIPLE A: Victorian and former Melbourne Ace James Beresford recently concluded a 13-game hitting streak for the Rochester Red Wings. He’s hitting .319 in 25 games this season… After starting May with a multi-hit game, Matt Kennelly (Perth Heat) is hitless in his last nine at bats for the Gwinnett Braves.
• DOUBLE A: Warwick Saupold (Perth Heat) picked up his first win of the season for the Erie Seawolves, beating the Akron RubberDucks on 12 May. He has a 1-1 record and 6.00 ERA in six starts… Tim Atherton (Canberra Cavalry) gave up one earned run and struck out six batters in five innings in his second Double-A start.
• HIGH A: Daniel McGrath (Melbourne Aces) maintains a sub-two ERA for the Salem Red Sox, posting a 1-1 record and 1.80 ERA in six starts while holding opponents to a .119 batting average… Todd Van Steensel (Sydney Blue Sox) has a 1.80 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 20 innings pitched for the Fort Myers Miracle… Samuel Holland (Brisbane Bandits) hasn’t allowed an earned run in his last seven appearances for the Lake Elsinore Storm.
• LOW A: Victorian Sam Street struggled in his last two outings but maintains a 2.49 ERA and three saves in eight games for the West Virginia Power… Zac Shepherd (Sydney Blue Sox) is hitting .243 with one home run and 20 RBIs in 32 games for the West Michigan Whitecaps… Robbie Perkins (Canberra Cavalry) is hitting .212 in 33 at bats for the Asheville Tourists.
• EXTENDED SPRING TRAINING: After signing a minor league deal with the Miami Marlins, Travis Blackley (Melbourne Aces) remains in Extended Spring Training, awaiting a minor league assignment… Opening Day for both the Short-Season A and Rookie levels is approaching, in June.
COLLEGIATE NEWS: CHAMPIONSHIPS CONTINUE
• New Zealander and outfielder Daniel Bradley had two hits as North Iowa Community College blanked Southwestern Community College to take the National Junior College Athletic Association Region XI title. Bradley shined throughout the tournament, including a two-homer performance in the semifinal. The Trojans advance to the North Plains district title game on 16 May against Southeast Community College.
• Sydneysider Max Brennen and West Texas A&M University continue their trek through the playoffs, heading to Grand Junction, Colorado for the NCAA Division II South Central Regional as the No. 5 seed in the tournament. Read more about the Buffs and the tournament schedule here.
GRASSROOTS NEWS
• Baseball Australia is getting ready to release team and roster information about the Little League National Championships, scheduled to be held in Lismore NSW from 4-9 June.
AT A GLANCE
• Queenslander and former softballer Aaron Whitefield, a 2014 participant in the MLB Australian Academy Program, signed with the Minnesota Twins as an outfielder and will start his career with the team’s Rookie-level affiliate in the Gulf Coast League.
• The Australian Baseball League announced the round-by-round draw for its 2015/16 season, which commences in October. Read more about the expanded schedule here.
• The Pittsburgh Pirates temporarily shut down John Holdzkom as the righty deals with shoulder fatigue at Triple A Indianapolis.
• In Memoriam: MLBI sends our deepest condolences to the family of Murdoch Campbell, who passed away after a brief battle with cancer. Murdoch served as the marketing manager for the Brisbane Bandits in the ABL’s mid-nineties heyday, and was also known for his passion for footy as he served as the club president for the QAFL Queensland’s Mayne Tigers.
To subscribe to receive The Pitch direct to your inbox, click here.